Keeping in touch days on maternity leave, explained
Keeping in touch days on maternity leave let you do up to 10 days of work without ending your leave or losing your maternity pay. Here’s how KIT days and SPLIT days work, in plain English. Checked against GOV.UK on 25 October 2026.
What are KIT days?
- You can work up to 10 days during maternity leave. These are ‘keeping in touch’ (KIT) days. The same applies to adoption leave.
- They’re optional for both sides: you and your employer both have to agree. Your employer can’t make you do them, and you can’t insist on them.
Pay and your SMP
The type of work and the pay for a KIT day should be agreed before you come in. GOV.UK doesn’t set a KIT day rate, so it’s down to your employer’s policy and what you agree. Check your contract or maternity policy, and get it in writing.
Taking KIT days doesn’t affect your right to maternity leave and pay. Your Statutory Maternity Pay for the rest of your leave still applies. To see what your maternity pay will be week by week, use the maternity pay calculator or the NHS maternity pay calculator.
SPLIT days on Shared Parental Leave
If you and your partner take Shared Parental Leave, you can each work up to 20 ‘SPLIT’ days (shared parental leave in touch days) without ending your leave. These are on top of the 10 KIT days available during maternity leave. Like KIT days, they’re optional and both you and your employer must agree.
If you get Maternity Allowance
If you’re on Maternity Allowance rather than SMP, you can take up to 10 keeping in touch days without affecting the amount you receive, but you must report any days you work to the Maternity Allowance helpline or by post.
Questions
How many KIT days can I take on maternity leave?
Up to 10 keeping in touch days. If you take Shared Parental Leave, you can also work up to 20 SPLIT days, on top of the 10 KIT days.
Do I get paid for KIT days?
The type of work and the pay should be agreed with your employer before you come in. GOV.UK does not set a rate, so check your employer’s maternity policy.
Do KIT days affect my maternity pay?
Your right to maternity leave and pay is not affected by taking keeping in touch days.
Do I have to do KIT days?
No. Keeping in touch days are optional. Both you and your employer must agree to them.
Can I do KIT days on Maternity Allowance?
Yes. You can take up to 10 keeping in touch days without affecting the amount of Maternity Allowance, but you must report them.
More guides and calculators
- Statutory Maternity Pay 2026/27 explained
- Shared Parental Leave pay
- Maternity Allowance
- Keeping in touch (KIT) days
- Maternity pay calculator and the NHS maternity pay calculator
Sources: GOV.UK Employee rights when taking maternity and other types of parental leave, Shared Parental Leave and Pay: booking blocks of leave, Shared Parental Leave and Pay: employer guide, Maternity Allowance: report a change of circumstances. This page is general information, not advice.
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